A Realistic View at 2016

[Hugh2]

I almost think that Olympic gymnastics are the best athletes around. Strength, stamina, athleticism. Some of the things they do amaze me.

 

But from wrestling and also playing other big three..... wrestling is harder than the other big three, if there was the same competition in wrestling it would be out of this world.

 

30 seconds of wrestling matches about 30 hours of baseball.......... boxing is the same.......... just try not to get smashed in the face for 30 seconds and see how winded you get.......... baseball has nothing on those two.....

 

As a Wrestler in highschool and someone who has boxed and thai-boxed for 15 years I'd agree that there may be nothing more demanding than combative sports. Your brain takes a beating from being punched and kicked in the head or slammed on the mat, your body gets bruised from smashing bones against bones and fighting on the mat or in the ring is very anaerobic and aerobic at the same time.

 

I use this joke with people who've never wrestled or been in a fight before. I tell them to imagine sprinting up a long him as fast as you can on a hot day, and then imagine someone punching you in the face while doing it.

 

But now that I think about it, I think you could argue gymnasts are the best athletes pound for pound too.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Maybe one of her quack doctors gave her secret powers. Idk. She survived on a diet of cheerios with orange juice and frozen salmon. Then she got alzheimer's, was forced to move in with my parents, tried to attack my uncle with a knife, was sent to a hospital, escaped from the hospital, carjacked someone, then passed away a few weeks later in hospice.

 

Holy s***, your grandmother was a badass.

[mvp 78]

Holy s***, your grandmother was a badass.

 

I will never be as cool as any of my grandparents.

 

Grandpa 1: Worked on an experimental submarine and bowled a 300.

Grandma 1: Drove a camaro and smoked a carton of Merits a week while in her late 60's.

Grandpa 2: Crashed an airplane in WW2 and married Grandma 2.

Grandma 2: Badass noted previously.

 

Here I am, just doing yardwork and growing a stupid beard.

[a700hitter]

 

Here I am, just doing yardwork and growing a stupid beard.

For the Hockey Playoffs?

[mvp 78]

For the Hockey Playoffs?

 

Yes, all yardwork stops when the hockey season ends. Thankfully...

[Emp9]

I will never be as cool as any of my grandparents.

 

Grandpa 1: Worked on an experimental submarine and bowled a 300.

Grandma 1: Drove a camaro and smoked a carton of Merits a week while in her late 60's.

Grandpa 2: Crashed an airplane in WW2 and married Grandma 2.

Grandma 2: Badass noted previously.

 

Here I am, just doing yardwork and growing a stupid beard.

 

Ok I'll bite... So just how experimental was this submarine pappi #1 worked on? Lol

[cp176]

Ha ha... No, this was real golf. Once she got better than my grandpa, he stopped playing.

 

I could be that grandpa!

[Slasher9]

sport or not a sport:

 

pro beach volleyball

chess

spelling bee

american ninja warrior

bobsledding/luge/skeleton

snowboarding halfpipe

curling

biathlon

24 hours of le mans

tour de france

Pipeline Classic

Search for Animal Chin

billiards

free climbing

Baja 1000

[moonslav59]

Really moon? Your statement That Papi is only a DH, sits on the bench and doesnt do much. Then you compared it to your youth baseball and beer league softball...sorry man, but that statement WAS ignorant. you as a poster on this forum are not ignorant. In fact mostly just the opposite. But The statement was, so lets not get all sensitive about my comment.

Just please dont downplay the work it takes for every baseball player to become and stay at a high enough level to play in MLB with the best of the best. And dont compare it to your baseball/softball "career"...thats all.

 

Compared to other sports and even other positions within the sport of baseball, the DH is a cake walk.

There's really no getting around that.

That does not imply that there are not demanding aspects of the sport or position of DH. There certainly is.

It's not easy hitting a ball, but that's different from being very physically demanding. That's not an ignorant position to hold.

Being a DH does involve some running, and keeping one's feet healthy is an important component of hitting well.

I have never downplayed Papi's injury.

I have never pretended to know how much pain he is in or is expected to continue being in going forward.

My position is that Papi's decision is his choice, and that he obviously loves the game as much as anyone. He's having a great time and a great season. Many players are willing to play through injuries out of an extreme love of the game. That's not an ignorant observation.

I brought up the position of DH, because in my opinion, if Papi played any other position, I'd be 100% on board with not even asking him to come back another year. As a GM, I might drop light-hearted hints, but I would not make a enticing offer, unless Papi responded in some way showing he may be interested in a return. As a DH, however, and the added aspect of offering him a reduced playing time role, I do not think it is disrespectful to make a fantastic final one year offer to Papi presented in a way that is respectful of his wishes. I hardly think this position is "ignorant".

I know there are personal, emotional, business and family demands that are associated with a 7-8 month MLB season. Travel. Batting practice. Working out. Occasional running. Fouling balls off your aching feet. I know there is a risk of serious injury and even just adding to a condition already existing that may jeopardize his well-being for the rest of his life. Maybe the situation is more grave than I imagine it is. If that's the case, I'm sure the Sox are aware of his condition and may choose not to make an offer based on that information. I'd be fine with that.

This doesn't mean I'm back-tracking or moving a goalpost. I still believe Papi is like a child loving baseball for the wonderful sport it is. He is baseball to me. I do think if ever there was a personality or personal disposition to want to play through pain, because of his love for the game, it would be a guy like Papi. I'm not asking the Sox to take advantage of this disposition to coax a guy on a fine line of being crippled the rest of his life to selfishly try to persuade him to come back for the team and the fans sake, but in the past, Papi has equated "respect" from the team to dollar amounts offered in contracts. I can see how he may view a $25M offer after he has said he wants to retire as a slap in the face, since why didn't we pay him that much for 2016, but that is why I would begin by putting out some feelers and mentioning a possible reduced playing time role for 2017 to lessen the day-to-day stress on his feet, by mentioning added perks involving less travel or more luxurious travel accommodations. If he seems firm in his decision to retire, then fine. No harm done.

What surprised me about the reaction to my position was how many posters seemed to actually want him to retire. Like somehow a 400 PA season batting .275 with 22 HRs and 80 RBIs would somehow tarnish his legend. Like even thinking about asking him back is sheer lunacy.

This whole DH is a comparative cakewalk statement has been blown out of proportion and beaten to death. I'm fine with anyone disagreeing with me, but I really do not think my opinion on how hard it is to be a DH is ignorant. I've played organized baseball, basketball, football and rec hockey and other sports. I used to play basketball in the winter on a snow-shoveled court until my fingerprints were worn off and my fingers bled with blisters. I've suffered 2 football concussions and one in basketball. I had a severe collision with a 3rd baseman of all people in baseball. Two of my best friends played college hockey and have has no front teeth since childhood. I know the rigors of sports and varying positions within sports. I don't pretend to know the rigors and stresses involved with being a celebrity or playing one sport for 8 moths in a row, especially at age 40, but I did play several sports maybe 300 days a year from age 12 to 34 or 35. After age 22, it was mostly basketball, baseball, racquetball and swimming. After wrecking my knee playing basketball at age 31, I gave up baseball and played rec league softball and basketball and began swimming more. It was hard for me to ease up on sports, because I always played with reckless abandon and high intensity. I was always a fierce competitor who hated to lose. I wish I was a good enough hitter to have continued baseball as a DH, but my game was more about speed and defense than hitting.

I'm sticking to my position that the DH position is easy enough for someone like Papi to consider playing one more year. The DH position is probably the main reason he has lasted this long in MLB. He loves the game as much or more than anyone I've ever see play the game. He's got to be enjoying his success this year. He's having a career best year, so far. I do not think it's absurd or ignorant to think he may want to do it another year.

I'm fine if you disagree, but I take issue with anyone calling my position ignorant or absurd or crazy.

[moonslav59]

Now, I wish we could get back to Red Sox baseball discussion on the year 2016.

 

How about JBJ looking to be an Allstar starter?

He should be joining Bogey and Papi in the starting line-up.

 

Shocking to some, I'm sure.

[mvp 78]

Ok I'll bite... So just how experimental was this submarine pappi #1 worked on? Lol

 

Idk. You'd have to ask my dad. That grandpa spilt from grandma when I was a baby. Had barely any contact with him before he died.

[Kimmi]

Why? Have you ever been to a real motocross race? Do you know anyone who has?

 

Have you ever ridden a 240 pound projectile over terrain that is difficult to walk on for an entire 30 minutes plus two laps? Do you have any understanding of the conditioning and aerobic fitness required?

 

I didn't mean it like that. As I said in my previous post, I'm sure that what you said is true.

 

The statement just struck me as funny, that's all. I'm easily amused.

[Kimmi]

sport or not a sport:

 

pro beach volleyball

chess

spelling bee

american ninja warrior

bobsledding/luge/skeleton

snowboarding halfpipe

curling

biathlon

24 hours of le mans

tour de france

Pipeline Classic

Search for Animal Chin

billiards

free climbing

Baja 1000

 

Curling - Now there's a sport that piques my interest.

[Bellhorn04]

If we're going to include beach volleyball we also have to include the Lingerie Football League.

[mvp 78]

Got something against an American hero like Karch Kiraly, Bell?

[SoxHop]

Sports are not only about athleticism. Do you even know how goddamned hard it is to be good at golf?

 

Why yes. I do. I've played.

 

I know I'd take crap on this one. But I seriously think golf is actually more of a hobby than a sport.

 

I guess. If archery could be a sport in the Olympics, then I guess golf could also be.

 

I'll give you this. I've always disliked golf. It's boring, takes very little athleticism to be good. I have no idea what the appeal is other than slow and white and rich people have something they can call a sport.

 

I know you have to be at a super high caliber to be a pro, but I think much of that is because it's the only sport slow low athletic people can do so there's a bunch of competition.

 

fire away.......

[SoxHop]

As a Wrestler in highschool and someone who has boxed and thai-boxed for 15 years I'd agree that there may be nothing more demanding than combative sports. Your brain takes a beating from being punched and kicked in the head or slammed on the mat, your body gets bruised from smashing bones against bones and fighting on the mat or in the ring is very anaerobic and aerobic at the same time.

 

I use this joke with people who've never wrestled or been in a fight before. I tell them to imagine sprinting up a long him as fast as you can on a hot day, and then imagine someone punching you in the face while doing it.

 

But now that I think about it, I think you could argue gymnasts are the best athletes pound for pound too.

 

you really have to do those things to actually know how hard they are.

[SoxHop]

sport or not a sport:

 

pro beach volleyball

chess

spelling bee

american ninja warrior

bobsledding/luge/skeleton

snowboarding halfpipe

curling

biathlon

24 hours of le mans

tour de france

Pipeline Classic

Search for Animal Chin

billiards

free climbing

Baja 1000

 

this cracked me up.

 

All of these except golf.....

[a700hitter]

What about fishing and hunting?

[StephenCurry30]

I mean based on the definition of a sport, a competitive jerk circle could be considered a sport. If Poker is considered a sport, masturbation is definitely a sport.

 

In terms of difficulty, boxing is by far the most difficult. In terms of injury prone, football takes the cake. Guys tear their ACLs and Achilles like its part of their job description.

[SoxHop]

What about fishing and hunting?

 

Those two are only a sport if you have a 6 pack in you when you start and at least finish a 12 pack. Same with darts......

[Bellhorn04]

Why yes. I do. I've played.

 

I know I'd take crap on this one. But I seriously think golf is actually more of a hobby than a sport.

 

I guess. If archery could be a sport in the Olympics, then I guess golf could also be.

 

I'll give you this. I've always disliked golf. It's boring, takes very little athleticism to be good. I have no idea what the appeal is other than slow and white and rich people have something they can call a sport.

 

I know you have to be at a super high caliber to be a pro, but I think much of that is because it's the only sport slow low athletic people can do so there's a bunch of competition.

 

fire away.......

 

Well, everybody's got their ideas of what a sport is, so there has to be some sort of objective reference point.

 

I would point out that a golfer has been SI's Sportsman of the Year 6 times since the award began in 1954.

 

And the only golfer to win the award twice was not white.

 

And continuing with that theme, check out the LPGA events sometime...the majority of the best players are not white.

[FredLynn]

Now, I wish we could get back to Red Sox baseball discussion on the year 2016.

 

How about JBJ looking to be an Allstar starter?

He should be joining Bogey and Papi in the starting line-up.

 

Shocking to some, I'm sure.

 

From about five pages ago.

 

It is a great surprise the way JBJ has come into his own as a hitter. He isn't likely to remain a .961 OPS hitter, but its looking like he will be more than passable, and that he will be a GG caliber CF for years to come. He and Bogaerts are the kind of players you can build a team around. Just look at the improvement that Bogaerts has made defensively...pretty amazing. And Papi should be in the lineup in the ASG as well, not just for nostalgic reasons, but because he is having a monster year. I would also nominate Buchholz as well.....just for comic relief.

[Youk Of The Nation]

From about five pages ago.

 

It is a great surprise the way JBJ has come into his own as a hitter. He isn't likely to remain a .961 OPS hitter, but its looking like he will be more than passable, and that he will be a GG caliber CF for years to come. He and Bogaerts are the kind of players you can build a team around. Just look at the improvement that Bogaerts has made defensively...pretty amazing. And Papi should be in the lineup in the ASG as well, not just for nostalgic reasons, but because he is having a monster year. I would also nominate Buchholz as well.....just for comic relief.

 

Sort of the rodeo clown of the ASG? They could dress him up in comically oversized clothes (more so than the ones he already wears), pancake makeup, and then have all of the mascots charge at him.

[FredLynn]

Sort of the rodeo clown of the ASG? They could dress him up in comically oversized clothes (more so than the ones he already wears), pancake makeup, and then have all of the mascots charge at him.

 

Well, to be honest, the visual of him with a balloon nose, a clown's suit, and oversized shoes with that ludicrous hairdoo would be incredibly amusing should it ever become a reality.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I have moved all of the posts from the beginning of this ridiculous argument to a brand-new thread, which I then locked because there is no reason to keep it going.

[TheBabeStrikesBack]

Oh my God you guys are all just the worst. I seriously can't even single out a single person for blame for everything that happened in the last three pages. I'm just going to make a list for everyone to consult.

 

TBSB: If you thought Spudboy's post was racist, that's your opinion. Others might disagree, but you could have phrased your response better than just calling him ignorant and not explaining your thoughts. Also, responding to being called a dick by calling someone an ******* is not the way to defuse a situation. I may have defended you against accusations of trolling, but you are not making that easy. When you respond to everything with a single sentence without explaining your opinions, it comes off as troll-ish. I think you have a lot to contribute, as you've show flashes of baseball insight, so please just try.

 

Slasher: I don't know how much clearer I can make this: I do not care even the slightest bit what you think about how things are done here unless you present those cares in the form of non-douchiness. No one brought up the word "troll" until you made your snide little comment. If you don't like things here, fine, but suffer in silence. I'm sick of the not-so-subtle sarcastic digs at the policies that have served us pretty well here up until a few weeks ago. Stick to talking baseball. If someone says something you don't like, ignore them.

 

UN?: You really didn't help that much by suggesting that people were going to be banned. I appreciate that you are trying to keep things from spiraling out of control when I am not online, and I'm thankful for it, but sometimes (like now), you let yourself get involved in the arguments and that just makes what you are trying to do seem much worse.

 

SoxnCycles: Are you completely incapable of not being a jerk? Every time there is an argument on this site that is not about baseball, you drop in and make it your mission to fan the flames despite the fact that it did not involve you in any way. Of everyone involved in this, including the Yankees fan, you are the one that I am closest to kicking off the site. When you talk about baseball you clearly have a decent idea of what you are talking about. Please stick to that and stop jabbing your stick into the anthill, as it were.

 

MVP: I am begging you, please stop quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's like being trapped in a mediocre high school English class all over again.

 

Spud: Thank you for continuing to post normally and trying to keep everything from exploding.

 

So, in conclusion, what all of this boils down to is: Don't respond to someone calling you a dick or an ******* by calling them one back. All that does is make you as bad as they are and eventually leads to temporary bans for both sides instead of the instigator. Don't pop into personal arguments that have nothing to do with you and add your two cents just to make things worse. And stop. Quoting. Emerson.

 

My apologies YOTN.

 

I wasn't calling him racist or ignorant, just his post. You are correct that I should have explained that better.

 

I have to be honest though, if someone calls me a dick or an ******* it's pretty tough to not respond in kind. I will try to refrain from that in the future.

[iortiz]

Well done YTON. It was getting ridiculous.

[Spudboy]

I was wondering why I could not post this until I discovered that the thread was closed!

 

Speaking of which, how crazy is it that Salty actually outperformed that overrated Yankees trash pile?

 

Lol.

 

I am happy to say that I have always liked Salty. Certainly a flawed receiver but I don't believe that anyone can question his heart.

 

Plus he was an excellent team mate and from what I saw of him in Boston, a pretty nice guy.

[iortiz]

Back to topic. A series vs MIN is coming, I'll be surprised if we don't sweep them while TOR and BAL will face each other, it will be a great opportunity to re-take the lead of the division.